Bling Bling Boom

Te Akau trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson started their day on the right note, when Celtic Bling (4 m Embellish – Niamh Elizabeth, by Per Incanto) justified favouritism in the $20,000 Maiden 1400 metres on 21 August at Riccarton.

Having finished well for third when securing a nice trip in the Maiden 1200 metres on 6 August at Riccarton, and placed in three of four starts on the (synthetic) course, Celtic Bling rated a top three chance.

With stable rider Opie Bosson aboard, having his first ride on the poly-track at Riccarton, Celtic Bling began well to secure cover behind the leaders, was out in good time once straightened for the run home, and she quickened appreciably in a well-timed run over the concluding stages.

The win continued an auspicious return to form by Bosson, since resuming to the jockey ranks this season after a reprieve, and following three wins for the stable last Sunday at Taupo.

It was due reward for Celtic Bling, and owner/breeders Glenn & Catherine Holmes and Te Akau Stud, as the homebred mare, half-sister to Te Akau trained stakes placed winners Irish Red and Cu Chulainn and three-time winner Sorcha, all by Burgundy (Redoute’s Choice), had previously placed four times.

“It’s always good to win races with homebred horses that have been bred at Te Akau Stud,” Walker said.

“We’ve seen her through all the stages, as a foal, weanling, yearling, and it was another lovely ride of Opie’s, getting her settled after being a touch keen early, and Hunter (Durrant) and the team have got the horses looking so well at Riccarton.

“(Assistant trainer) Hunter always goes the extra mile in keeping them happy and healthy, and it certainly won’t be the last win for Celtic Bling.

“Niamh Elizabeth has been a really good broodmare and her progeny just keep getting better as they mature.

“We can look forward to seeing what Celtic Bling does this season, but I think she’ll be even better as a five-year-old next season.”

Punters elect from the outset, Celtic Bling paid $2.60 & $1.30 on the NZ TAB tote, after running 1400 metres in 1:23.9 on the poly-track, in the race named Stallion Tender Open Now.

The same combination also has three-year-old filly and half-sister Hello Bess (Hello Youmzain) preparing to trial next Tuesday (26 August) at Waipa, after she sustained a strong gallop for third when trialling on 5 August at Te Rapa.

Niamh Elizabeth also has an unnamed two-year-old filly in the stable from the first crop of Noverre (Savabeel), a yearling colt from the first crop by Sword Of State (Snitzel), while she in foal again to Noverre. 

So, there is plenty of ammunition to continue the trend of good horses stemming from the family.

It was Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM that kicked things off when he raced Thrive (Colombia) with his good friend and breeder Ken Browne. 

Thrive was out of the dam of Niamh Elizabeth, Trove (Paris Opera), bred by Tom and Jane Lowry, from their Okawa Stud family, before being purchased by Browne, while third dam Fun (Three Legs – Enjoy, by Aythorpe) produced In Joyment (St Hilarion), who included six wins over staying distances and amassed stakes of $579,974.

A winner at her second start in New Zealand, In Joyment transferred to Gai Waterhouse, Sydney, where in 1998 she won the Metropolitan Handicap (Gr. 1, 2500m).

Ellis purchased Niamh Elizabeth for $62,500 at the 2014 NZB Select Yearling Sale and she was a handy mare that won over 1200 metres at Matamata. Her first foal was Irish Red (Burgundy), a dual winner to 1400 metres and stakes placed three times, while Celtic Bling became her fourth individual winner of eight races. 

As yearlings at Karaka, Ellis also purchased five-time stakes winning sire Burgundy (Redoute’s Choice), with whom Niamh Elizabeth nicked so well, and 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winners Embellish (Savabeel), sire of Celtic Bling, and Noverre (Savabeel), whose racing progeny are eagerly awaited. 

Celtic Bling was strapped by Grace Stevenson.   

Photo credit - Ajay Berry - www.raceimages.co.nz